ODM's National Executive Council to meet on Tuesday

ODM party leader Raila Odinga (left) and Kisumu senator Anyang Nyong'o at a past press conference. PHOTO | PHOEBE OKALL | FILE  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• The National Executive Council under the chairmanship of Party Leader Raila Odinga will meet at Orange House from 10am to strategize for the polls
• More than 4,600 delegates are to meet in Nairobi in February to elect new leaders for the party

By LUCAS BARASA
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The Orange Democratic Movement meets on Tuesday to plan for the election of new party leaders next month as it begins preparations for another stab at the presidency in 2017.

Executive director Magerer Langat said the National Executive Council under the chairmanship of Party Leader Raila Odinga will meet at Orange House from 10am to strategize for the polls.

“The agenda is to set off the preparations for the National Delegates Convention (NDC) slated for February 2014,” Mr Langat said.

Mr Odinga, who in 2017 is hoping to vie for the presidency for a fourth time is unchallenged for the party leader’s position.

Mombasa governor Hassan Joho whose Coast region has been wavering with some leaders leaning towards Jubilee has expressed interest in the position of Deputy Party Leader.

The position has been vacant since UDF leader Musalia Mudavadi and Deputy President William Ruto severed links with ODM. Mr Mudavadi was ODM’s First Deputy Leader and Mr Ruto succeeded him before falling out with Mr Odinga

.

Siaya senator James Orengo, MPs John Mbadi, Ababu Namwamba and Ken Obura are interested in the powerful Secretary General’s position currently held by Kisumu senator Anyang Nyong’o.

The Chairmanship which is currently held by former Cabinet Minister Henry Kosgey who has maintained a low profile since losing in the Nandi senatorial election has attracted the attention of former National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende and South Mugirango MP Manson Nyamweya.

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, whose loyalty to ODM has been questioned by some of the party’s loyalists due to his association with Jubilee's leadership, is reportedly eyeing the vice-chairmanship. Dr Kidero’s fund raising activities in parts of Nyanza have also been interpreted as a means to undermine Mr Odinga and enable Jubilee penetrate the area, allegations he has denied. (READ: Nyanza leaders meet Raila over Kidero’s big-money harambees)

Bomachoge Chache MP Simeon Ogari and Kitutu Chache’s Timothy Bosire are eyeing the post of Treasurer while Homa Bay senator Otieno Kajwang and former Nairobi Mayor George Aladwa are likely to square off for the Organising Secretary position.

Former Kenya National Union of Teachers treasurer Peter Matulu who is also the Machakos County ODM boss wants to be the party’s Deputy Treasurer.

YOUTH URGED TO SEEK POSITIONS

More than 4,600 delegates are to meet in Nairobi in February to elect new leaders for the party, which was once rated as the most popular in the country.

The NDC comprises of ODM MPs and senators, governors and their deputies, 20 members from each county, eight executive members from sub-branches and 20 women and a similar number of youth representatives.

Mr Odinga has urged the youth to seek positions during the polls instead of sitting on the fence only to later complain that they were sidelined

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ODM has said it wants to use the elections to inject fresh blood in the running of the party and help consolidate its support in readiness for the next elections.

A number of the party MPs have expressed interest in working with Jubilee since ODM lost the last elections, a move that could potentially weaken the party.